Fire-hydrant.



H. M. LOPTON.

PIRE HYDRANT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 30, 1909.

Patented; Dec. 13, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

gimme/s3 H. M. LOFTON. PIRE HYDRANT.

I APPLICATION FILED AUG. 30, 1909. 97,385 Patented Dec. 13,' 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNTTED STATES PATENT FFTCTC.

HERBERT M. LOFTON, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

FIRE-HYDRANT.

massa.

Application led August 30, 1909.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT M. LoFToN,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident f the city ofChattanooga, county of Hamilton, and State of Tennessee, have inventedan Improvement in Fire-Hydrants, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention has reference to fire hyd lants and consists of certainimprovements which are fully set forth in the following specificationand shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a construction of valvemechanism which shall be capable of properly draining the hydrant andalso adapted for work on high pressure mains.

My object is also to so construct the parts that the stock may beremoved when necessary without disturbing the valve mechanism, andmoreover, in which the valve mechanism may be removed without disturbingthe elbow or shoe and stock of the hydrant whenever repairs arerequired; and furthermore to provide details of construction which shallbe durable, effective and easily repaired.

My invention consists of certain improvements which are fully describedhereinafter and defined in the claims, and these will be betterunderstood by reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a sectional elevation of a fire hydrant embodying myinvention; Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same on line 2 2, Fig. 3 .isa. cross section of the same on line 3 3; Fig. #t a cross section of thesame on line tvl; Fig. 5 is aV sectional elevation of a hydrantembodying my 'invention and having no auxiliary or pilot valve; and Fig.(5 is a section of a portion of the valve seat.

A is the shoe of the valve body and supports the stock vB in anysuitable manner. The shoe or elbow A has its upper part internally screwthreaded and terminating at the bottom of the threaded portion in aninwardly directed flange K forming an annular shoulder or surface uponwhich a gasket J rests. The screw threaded portion is provided. with anannular' groove G from which a plurality of outwardly extending drainholes G open. Two such holes are shown, but there may be more thanthese, if so desired.

Screwed into the threaded portion of the shoe is the valve seat ring orbushing F hav- Specicarion of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 13, i9l0.'

Serial No. 515,147.

ing the valve seat at the bottom upon which the main valve seats itself,and at the top provided with a series of lugs L by which the bushing maybe rotated while being screwed in place. This bushing or seat isscrew-threaded upon the circumference so as to screw into the threadedportion of the shoe and this threaded part is also provided with anannular groove F which, when the bushing is screwed in place, comesopposite to groove G in shoe to form a complete annular drain passage.

By forming the annular passage GF between the seat ring F and the shoe,an eX- cellent drainage communication is provided between the interiordrainage ports and the exterior drainage ports. 'Tt will therefore beunderstood that, by employing this annular grooved structure, thedrainage opening F2 will always be insured communication with the outerdrainage apertures G irrespective of the particular position which itmight assume when the scat ring or bushing F has been screwed down tightupon the gasket J. nother important feature due to the annular grooves Gand F is that the threads opposite these grooves on both the seat ringand the upper opening' in the cast iron shoe, are cut away entirely,thus doing away with the liability of either of these threads corrodingby the drainage water. This makes it easy to unscrew the seat ring,because if the annular groove F was turned out of the scat ring F andnot out of the cast iron shoe also, the thread on the cast iron partwould rust or corrode and thereby form an obstruction against the scatring being freely unscrewed when required for repairs. On the otherhand, if the groove G in the shoe was turned out and the groove F notprovided in the seat ring, then there would be a deposit on the partsof' the threads just opposite to groove G, which would make it diflicultto unscrew the. seat ring from the shoe. Tt will therefore be seen thatthe provision of this double groove provides not only greater area inwaste water apertures but also prevents interference with free removalof the seat ring when required.

The lower part of the seat ring or bushing F is provided with an annularshoulder and a cylindrical wall which lits close to the flange K on theshoe, so as to form above the said flange an annular chamber in whichthe gasket J is located. lVhen the bushing is screwed down tight uponthe gasket, the latter makes a tight jointl and the coperation of thecylindrical wall K with the flange K prevents the gasket working out ofthe annular' chamber in which it is located.

C is the valve rod or stem and has secured to its lower end C, a pilotvalve E* which seats upon a valve seat ES upon the bottom ot' the mainvalve D. The pilot valve has its upper body portion made cylindrical asindicated at E, which is flanged at the top as at E2 and also providedwith ports E extending through the top and laterally7 through the wallat E:2 near the bottom. The cylindrical body E of the pilot valve snuglylits a tubular cylindrical portion DS of the main valve D, so that itmay be raised and lowered within the main valve and form a goodmechanical sliding connection with it. The flange portion E2 of the bodyot the auxiliary or pilot valve slides in an enlarged diameter in theupper portion of the main valve body DS so that the pilot or auxiliaryvalve may be depressed until the flange portion E2 strikes the shoulderD4 on the main valve after which, any further depression ot theauxiliary or pilot valve will lower the main valve with it.

During the operation just described, the pilot valve E4 will have beenlowered from its seat E8 and the lateral ports E8 will have been openedto the shoe below the Valve seat ES thereby permitting the water in theshoe to pass freely upward through the ports E into the stock ot thehydrant above the main valve to relieve the pressure against opening themain valve. Vhen the ports are in the position shown in Fig. l, theports E3 are closed and the pilot valve E`l is seated upon the seat E8.By providing the lateral opening E3 in the body E of the pilot orauxiliary valve, which are to relieve the higher pressure ot the waterupon the opening ot the pilot valve, at a distance from the valve E*itself, it will be seen that when the valve is fully opened there willbe no cutting of the valve or the valve seat for the reason that whenthe valve is fully opened the opening E will be entirely removed fromeither the valve or the valve seat.

The main valve D has its lower cylindrical portion DS provided with theconical leather packing` D which is kept in place by the collar D, saidcollar being screwed upon the lower end ot' the cylindrical body portionDS. The upper portion of the main valve body is provided with wings D5which work in grooves formed by the tace of the lugs L, L, and thelateral projections M, M, which extend inwardly over the water passageat a higher elevation than the upper surface ot the seat ring or bushingF, so that there is no interference with the free passage ot the waterthrough the bushing except so 'far as it may be obstructed by the mainvalve itselt'. l have shown tour lugs L, but two only of these aregrooved and provided with the projections M as will be understood b vreference to Fig. 9.. One ot these wings D5 has its face provided with aleather packing strip DG which works in contact with the face ot theseat ring or bushing and grooved lug. The bushing is provided with adrain aperture F2 which opens inwardly trom the annular groove F and inline with the packing` strip D' of the wing D5, as shown in Figs. l andel. The body ot' the main valve D is also provided with a transversedrainage aperture D2 which, when the main valve is closed, is in linewith the drainage aperture F2 in the seat ring or bushing. The pilotvalve body E is also provided with a transverse drainage aperture D2'which, when the pilot valve is closed, is in alinement with the drainageaperture D2 in the main valve, as shown in Figs. l and l. From theposition of the ports as shown in Fig. l, it will be seen that water inthe stock of' the hydrant may drain through one ot' the apertures E andout by the passages D3, D2, F2, F', G and G to the outside of thehydrant and this drainage will take place by gravity.

It' the valve is to be opened against a heavy water pressure thelowering ot the valve stem C will lower the pilot valve Et, while themain valve is held to its seat by the water pressure. lVhile theauxiliary or pilot valve is being lowered, the drainage aperture D2 inthe main valve becomes closed and then the port E3 becomes exposed belowthe seat ES. The pressure below the main valve is then permitted toexert itself by forcing water upward through the ports E into stockabove the main valve. Then the stock is full ot rater, it will have thesame pressure as the pressure below the main valve. rl`here will be atthis time no open drainage apertures, so that this pressure cannot exertitselt upon the ground outside ot the hydrant to undermine it. A4further downward movement of the valve stem will cause the l'lange E2ot the pilot valve body to press upon the shoulder portion D4 of themain valve and then depress the main valve to open the hydrant with:t'ull head of water. lVhile the main valve is being lowered, thepacking strip D seals the drainage port F2, thereby maintaining thehydrant against drainage.

Then the hydrant is fully opened, there will be passage for the waterthrough the main valve and through the auxiliary or pilot valve. Thenclosing the hydrant, the tirst operation of the raising the valve steinis to permit the main valve D to move upwardly, until it is seated. Astill further raising of the valve stein would cause the pilot valve Eto move upward until it is seated upon the main valve. This would thenbring the opening D3 in the pilot valve into register with the openingD2 inthe main valve, and the main valve in turn would have its openingD2 in register with the opening F2 in the seat ring, and allow the waterin the hydrant stock or barrel, to drain through the passages justmentioned, and through the grooves G and F, and by means of drainagepassages G in the hydrant shoe to the outside of the hydrant stock. Bothvalves will now be closed and the stock may drain through the ports E',D3, D2, F2, F, G and G under the action of gravity. As the valve stem Cis raised and lowered by the rotation of the screw nut N at its upperend, there would be a tendency'in the stem to turn, and to prevent thisI provide the auxiliary valve body E with lugs E5 which work in groovesin the body of the main valve D, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The body ofthe main valve D has the wings D5 guided in the grooves on the lugs L,L, between the projections M M of the said lugs and is thus held againstrotat ing, and consequently, the auxiliary valve body is also heldagainst rotary movement.

Referring now to the upper part of the hydrant, the bonnet B is boltedto the top of the stock and clamped between these parts in the diaphragmB3. P is the stuffing box through which the iianged nut N extends, saidnut having the flange O which seats upon the upper wall of the stuflingbox. P is the packing and Q is the follower ring which presses down uponthe packing under the flange O of the adjusting nut portion. R is a holddown nut or bushing which is screwed in the top of the bonnet andpresses down upon the flange O of the nut N. The lower end of the nut Nmay extend through stufling box and be guided by the baille or diaphragmB3. It will be understood that when the hold down nut or bushing` R- isfirmly seated, the annular flange O of stem nut fits neatly and alsoturns freely and without any material vertical play. By revolving thisnut N with a suitable wrench, the valve may be raised or lowered throughthe stem C.

By providing the inwardly directed projections M, M, only above thelevel of the aperture or opening in the seat ring or bushing F, theopening in the seat ring or bushing may be turned in a lathe so as tobecome roundv or cylindrical and as the main valve D may have its wingsD5 turned in the same manner it will be evident that the parts may havea close lit; and as the working surface between the guide wings and theseat ring or bushing is smooth, they form an excellent guide means forkeeping the main valve centralized during its opening and closingoperation. The leather packing strip DG will provide for any excess ofplay and being of a yielding character, will insure the drainageaperture F2 being properly sealed when the main valve is opened. Theprojections M M and the groove parts may be omitted and any otherconvenient means employed to guide the wings. The machine work of thisentire valve mechanism may be largely done in the lathe, andconsequently, is inexpensive and secures the working of several partspractically concentric.

llhile I have described my invention with respect to its use, not onlyupon ordinary water mains, but also upon high pressure mains where thepressure may range from 150 to 500 lbs. and in which case the auxiliaryor pilot valve is important, it will not be necessary to employ thepilot valve where the pressure of the water main is suiiiciently low. Insuch cases the main valve may be operated directly by the valve stem asclearly shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 while showing the hydrant without the use of the auxiliary orpilot valve, does not differ in details of construction in otherrespects from the general structure shown in Figs 1 to 4L. In Fig. 5 thehydrant is shown as adapted for ordinary use, and as it does not havethe auxiliary valve through the main valve the diameter of the mainvalve need not be so large. In this case the valve stem C- is directlyconnected with the valve D so that the valve is positively moved withevery movement of the valve stem. The construction at the top of thevalve stock for operating t-he valve stem would be the same as shown inFig. l, but need not have capacity for so great a vertical movement tothe valve stem. The valve proper is provided with a top plate havingwings D5 guided in the lugs L, as in the case of Fig. l the seating partof the valve is of leather and these are clamped against the top plateby the collar D9 at the bottom which in this case is held in positionconcentric with the part C of the valve stem by the nut C2. The drainageannular grooves and ports in the valve seat ring F and shoe A of thehydrant are the same in the case of Fig. 1, but in the valve itself theport for drainage is omitted and the drainage takes place from the stockthrough the space left under the guide wings D5. In this case it is notnecessary to provide any definite ports through the valve itself.

All of the advantages which have been described with respect to theconstruction of the shoe to the valve seat ring and main valve structureof Figs. 1 to 4l equally apply to the structure shown in Fig. 5, and itwill not be necessary to elaborate further upon these advantages.

While I prefer the construction shown, the details thereof may bemodified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having now described my invention what l claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a re hydrant, the combination of the shoe having the upperintegral screwthreaded flange part formed with an annular kgroove formedin the screw threaded surface so that the threads are arranged bothabove and below the groove and also having a plurality of outwardlyextending drain holes opening therefrom, a valve seat ring screwed intothe shoe and having a drain opening in line with the annular groove ofthe shoe and also having inwardly projecting guide lugs above the lineof the drain opening, a gasket between the bottom of the seat ring andshoe, and a valve for the seat ring provided with upwardly extendingguide wings guided in the inwardly projecting guide lugs of the seatring.

2. In a fire hydrant, th-e combination of the shoe having thescrew-threaded flange part formed with an annular groove and a pluralityof outwardly extending d 1ain holes opening therefrom, a valve seat ringscrewed into the shoe and having a drain opening in line with theannular groove of the shoe and also having inwardly projecting guidelugs above the line of the drain opening, a gasket between the bottom ofthe seat ring and shoe, a valve for the seat ring provided with upwardlyextending guide wings guided in the inwardly projecting guide lugs ofthe seat ring, a valve rod, and a pilot valve secured to the valve rodand seating upon the lower part of the main valve and also having acylindrical body secured to the valve rod and provided with aperturesfor providing a communication for the water below the main valve to thestock above the saine when the pilot valve is open and a drain for thewater in the stock to the drain orifice of the seat ring when the pilotis closed upon its seat.

3. ln a lire hydrant, the shoe having a screw-threaded orifice at itstop terminating in an inwardly directed flange and also having anannular groove formed in the screw threaded portion intermediate of itsends so-that screw threads extend above and bclow the groove andprovided with a discharge aperture opening therefrom, coinbined with avalve seat ring screwed into the shoe and having an annular shoulderedportion at the bottom extending through the central aperture within theflange of the shoe to form an annular pocket below the annular grooveand inclosed on all sides and also having a drainage aperture incommunication with the annular groove in the shoe, a gasket of less meandiam-eter than the screw threaded portion of the seat ring arranged inand fully filling the said pocketand a valve device adapted to coperatiewith the valve seat on the seat ring and provided with upwardlyextending guide wings for guiding the valve and for controlling thedrainage aperture through the seat ring.

4. ln a fire hydrant, the shoe having a screw-threaded orifice at itstop terminating in an inwardly direct-ed flange and also having anannular groove formed in the screw threaded portion intermediate of itsends so that screw threads extend above and. below the grooves andprovided with a discharge aperture opening therefrom, combined with avalve seat ring screwed into the shoe and having a tubular opening andan annular shouldered portion at the bottoni cooperating with the flangeof the shoe to form an annular pocket below the annular groove andinclosed on all sides also upwardly and inwardly directed guide lugsarranged above the tubular opening in the seat ring and having further adrainage aperture in communication with the annular groove in the shoe,a gasket arranged in and fully .filling the said pocket, and a valvedevice adapted to cooperate with the valve seat on the seat ring andprovided with integral upwardly extending guide wings for guiding thevalve and for controlling the d 1ainage aperture through the seat ring.

5. ln a firehydrant, the shoe having a screwthreaded orifice at its topterminating in an inwardly directed flange and also havingl an annulargroove provided with a discharge aperture opening therefrom.` combinedwith a valve seat ring screwed into the shoe and havingl an annularshouldered portion at the bottom cooperating with the fiange of the shoeto form an annular pocket incloscd on all sides and the said seatringalso having a deep annular groove on its outer threaded portion to comeinto register with the groove in the shoe when the seat ring is screwedinto position, and also provided with a drainage aperture which is alsoin ctanmunication with the annular groove in the shoe,y a gasketarranged in the said pocket, and a valve device adapted to cooperatewith the valve seat on the seat ring and provided with upwardlyextending guide wings for guiding the valve and for controlling thedrainage aperture through the seat ring.

G. ln a fire hydrant. the combination of the stock and shoe portion`with a scat ring at their juncture having a drainage opening, a mainvalve which seats upon the seaty ring and controls the drainage openingtherein, and fan auxiliary 'alve seating upon the main valve and alsocontrolling the drainage opening whereby said d ainage opening is sealedwhen either the main valve or the auxiliary valve is lowered and isunsealed only when both valves are closed upon their seats.

7. ln a fire hydrant, the combination of a llO valve seat, a inain valveguided upon said seat s'o as to open and close but held against rotationand having a tubular passage through it terminating in a valve seat onthe bottom, an auxiliary valve adapted to the valve seat on the mainvalve and provided with a cylindrical body part fitting the tubularpassage and having by-passages opening above the main valve at the topand opening radially near the bottom iinmediately above the auxiliaryvalve, and a valve stem to move the auxiliary valve directly andindirectly move the main valve, whereby the pressure below the mainvalve may be relieved through the by-pass before the main valve isopened.

8. ln a fire hydrant, the combination of a valve seat, a niain valveguided upon said seat so as to open and close but held against rotationand having a tubular passage through it terminating in a valve seat onthe bottoni and having an annular enlargement at its top and providedwith a radial recess, an auxiliary valve adapted to the valve seat onthe main valve and provided with a cyliiidrical body part fitting thetubular passage and having by-passages opening above the main valve atthe top and opening radially near the bottom immediately above theauxiliary valve and also having a flanged top and a radial lug therefromadapted to the annular enlargement of the passage in the main valve andits radial recess, and a valve stem to move the auxiliary valve directlyand indirectly move the main valve, whereby the pressure below the mainvalve may be relieved through the by-pass before the main valve isopened.

9. In a fire hydrant, a seat ring having a screw-threaded exterior, avalve seat on its bottom and a plurality of upwardly extending andseparated lugs at the top two of which arranged diametrically oppositeare provided with inwardly extending projections arranged above tlienormal upper surface of the seat ring, with a main valve adapted to seatupon the seat ring and having its upper part provided with upwardlyextending guide wings guided between the inwardly directed projectionsand lugs for guiding the valve vertically and holding it againstrotation, and means for raising and lowering the valve. f

10. In a fire hydrant, the combination f a valve seat having a drainageoutleth,a main valve also having a drainage outlf'l and an auxiliaryvalve carried upon all seated on the main valve and provided wil' adrainage aperture communicating withfe hydrant stock above the mainvalve and the drainage aperture in the valve'Sed through the niaiiivalve.

l a top 11. Iii a lire hydrant, a bonnet for tlr'bxcv of the stockprovided with a stuffiii` having a shouldered upper part, co1

binedil with a screw-threaded valve stein, a screwthreaded sleeve nutfor the valve stem having a flange resting upon the shouldered portionof the stufhng box and terminating at the top in a head for a key orwrench, a retain'- ing bushing screwed into the top of the bonnet andabove the flange of the tubular part, a follower ring arranged below theflange of the sleeve-nut part and within the stui'iing box, and packingfor the stuffing box whereby the valve stem adjusting portions iiiay bereadily removed for re-paclring when required.

12. In a lire hydrant shoe, the combination of the hydrant having anintegral flanged top provided with a screw-threaded opening andterminating in an annular shoulder and said screw-threaded openingformed with an annular groove intermediate of the top and bottom of saidscrew threads and provided with a plurality of drain holes leadingtherefrom to the outside of the hydrant shoe, with a valve seat ringscrewed into the shoe and provided with an annular groove on its outerthreaded portion and which when the seat ring is screwed into positioncomes opposite the annular groove in the shoe thereby forming a doublegrooved portion and said seat ring being provided with a conical seat onits 95 bottom and with a drainage aperture extending through it and intocommunication with the annular groove about the same and a conical valvefor the seat ring.

13. In a fire hydrant, a bonnet having a 100 stuffing box at its top, avalve stem, a sleeve nut extending through the stuffing box and havingan annular flange seated upon the bonnet at the top of the stuffing boxso as to be held against downward movement 105 while free to be rotatedand also having a screw connection with the valve stem, paclf' ing inthe stuffing box, a gland abvilh@ packing and held down -nimm/51T@ Sam@by the annular Hugger/the sleeve nut, and 110 means Canapa-oy the bonnetfor guiding the Slew@ D71fand pressing down upon the collar therwi' forholding it against upward move- Drit in the bonnet, the constructionbeing Vsuch that the water cannot reach the means carried by the bonnetthrough the packing.

111. `ln a lire hydrant, a body portion terminating at its upper part ina stuffing box, a sleeve nut extendingtlirough the stulhng 12o box andforming a joint therewith, and also provided with an annular flangeseated upon the body structure above the stufling box, a valve stemhaving a screw connection with the sleeve, and an annular retainingbusliing screwed into the top of the body portion above the flange ofthe sleeve iiut to hold it in position and having a .diameter Oreaterthan the diameter of the flange of ti'iesleeve nut.

without passing 15. In a lire hydrant, the combination ot the shoehaving the screw-threaded upper part formed with an annular groove inthe central portion of the threaded part and a plurality of outwardlyextending drain holes opening therefrom, a valve seat ring screwed in tothe shoe and having inwardly projecting guide lugs above the top planeof the circular opening of same and also having an annular groove formedin its outer threaded portion and a drain opening leading from the saidgroove to the inner side of the seat ring the said opening being locateddirectly under and on a longitudinal line with the center of one of theinwardly projecting guide lugs, a main valve for the seat ring providedwith upwardly extending guide wings guided in the inwardly projectingguide lugs of the seat ring and one of the said guide wings havingsuitable packing strip attached to its outer surface and arranged sothat it will work in the inwardly projecting guide lug having the drainopening whereby when the main valve is closed the drain opening in theseat ring will be open.

16. In a tire hydrant, the combination of a shoe having a removableseatring provided with an annular groove in its outer threaded portionand also having inwardly projecting guide lugs above the line ot the topplane of the circular opening of same and also having a drain openingleading from the annular groove to the inner cylindrical opening of theseat ring said drain opening being located in a line directly below oneof the inwardly projecting guide lugs, a main valve having upwardlyprojecting guide wings one of which is provided with a packing strip andarranged to work in between the inwardly projecting guide lug having thedrain opening whereby when the main valve is being opened the packingStrip will close the drain opening and when the Hmm Yalve is closed thepacking strip llll be' lllOVed lllJwnv-(PHV to uncove the drain openingand allow n. Wdter in the barrel of the hydrant to be drainea .out

17. The combination of the shoe lnvno, a screw-threaded upper openingand proyzffed with an annular groove removing the middle portion of thescrew threaded part and said groove having a drainage aperture to theoutside of the shoe, with a valve seat ring screw threaded upon itsouter surface to engage the screw threads of the shoe and also havingthe middle portion oit' the screw threaded surface removed to form agroove bounded above and below by screw threaded portions and whichcooperates with the groove in the shoe to form an annular chamber oflarge sectional area part in the shoe and part in the seat ring, andsaid seat ring being further provided with a drainage aperture openingthrough the same into the annular groove, and a valve seating upon seatring and provided with means to oontrol the drainage aperture.

18. A seat ring for a hydrant formed ot an annular casting having ascrew threaded outer periphery provided with an annular groove boundedabove and below by screw threaded portions and also provided at thebottom with a valve seat and at the top with inwardly directed guidelugs and intermediate of said seat and guide lugs with a drainageaperture extending through the wall of the annular casting into theannular grooved portion thereof and an opening through the interior wallin vertical alinement with one of the inwardly directed guide lugs.

19. In a hydrant and valve consisting of a conical seating portioncombined with a top plate provided with oppositely ar 1anged upwardlyextending guide wings reaching down to the seating portion, and alpacking surface secured to the outer tace ot one of the wings, combinedwith a seat ring` having a conical seat on its bottom part and verticalguide grooves for the guide wings and through which seat ring is adrainage aperture in the line of travel of tl e guide wing having thepacking surface.

ln testimony of which invention, hereunto set my hand.

HERBERT M. LOFTON.

fitnesses J. L. MORRISON, J. S. H. UMnAoi-l.

